Author:Michael Pollan
THE NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, NOW A MAJOR NEW NETFLIX SERIES
'Reminds us that the mind is the greatest mystery in the universe' Yuval Noah Harari, Guardian, Books of the Year
Could psychedelic drugs change our worldview? Join Michael Pollan on a journey to the frontiers of the human mind.
Diving deep into an extraordinary world - from shamans and magic mushroom hunts to the pioneering labs mapping our brains - and putting himself forward as a guinea-pig, Michael Pollan has written a remarkable history of psychedelics and a compelling portrait of the new generation of scientists fascinated by the implications of these drugs. How to Change Your Mind is a report from what could very well be the future of consciousness.
'A sweeping and often thrilling chronicle of the history of psychedelics, all interwoven with Pollan's adventures as a psychedelic novice. This is a serious work of history and science, but also one in which the author, under the influence of toad venom, becomes convinced he's giving birth to himself' Oliver Burkeman, Guardian
'A mind-altering book ... full of transformations' Richard Godwin, Evening Standard
'An irresistible blend of history, research and personal experience. In terms of the psychedelic wave, the book is the big kahuna, the Big Bang moment for a movement that is gathering force' John McKenna, Irish Times
'Entertaining and engrossing' Paul Laity, Financial Times
'Deeply absorbing, wise and beautifully written' Mick Brown, Literary Review
'An astounding book' Andrew Sullivan, New York Magazine
The best living essayist writing in English
—— John GrayThe Martin Amis of British psychoanalysis . . . brilliantly amusing and often highly unsettling
—— The TimesOne of those writers whom it is a pleasure simply to hear think
—— Sunday TelegraphReading Phillips, you may be amused, vexed, dazzled. But the one thing you will never be is bored
—— ObserverAdam Phillips is that rarest of phenomena, a trained clinician who is also a sublime writer
—— John BanvillePlayfully digressive style... He is the finest living decipherer of affective life [and] the Bob Dylan of psychoanalysis
—— Daily TelegraphOne to dip into again and again
—— ExpressOpen-minded and inclusive
—— Time OutWonderful...this anthology has a pleasingly flow-like feel...fascinating...it takes a wide view of the subject
—— Giles Foden , GuardianPlomin takes recent genetic research and draws some provocative conclusions.
—— Andrew Anthony , The GuardianWhat Plomin is saying at the moment is controversial, but it is a message that every teacher needs to at least consider carefully and objectively.
—— Jon Severs , Times Educational SupplementA clear and engaging explanation of one of the hottest (and most interesting) fields in science, by perhaps its most distinguished practitioner
—— Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Blank Slate and Enlightenment NowSome blueprint, that creates the rainbow spectrum of humanity! Plomin is a masterful teacher as well as brilliant scientist. He coolly lays out the astonishing new evidence that genetic differences matter far more than environmental ones in producing individual differences in ability and character, and argues passionately that, if we want to build a fair society, we must plan accordingly
—— Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, London School of EconomicsThis fascinating book, by the doyen of behavioural genetics, provides a superb introduction to the genetics of who we are. It is beautifully written and very challenging, but it is a challenge that we all need to reflect on
—— Sir Richard Layard, emeritus professor of economics at LSE and the author of Happiness and ThriveRobert Plomin's research has been educating us about environmental and genetic influences on psychological characteristics for decades. This is an accessible and pacy summary of the field's accumulated results, with provocative future-gazing on the uses of genetic material for prediction about people's lives
—— Ian Deary, professor of differential psychology at the University of EdinburghRobert Plomin's engaging book, drawing on his 35 years of research experience, makes the complex field of behavioural genetics accessible for a non-expert reader. An important work, Blueprint calls for a society-wide conversation to debate the ethics of this new knowledge and our responsibilities, as this shouldn't just be left in the hands of geneticists
—— Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University and author of Zero Degrees of EmpathyIf anyone is going to write a book that challenges deeply held beliefs about who we are, it is Plomin: a psychologist with 45 years' experience in research, but with an undimmed passion for his subject.
—— David James , Tes MagazinePlomin finally finds himself at the crest of the wave as cutting edge research begins to back what have long been theories and hypotheses.
—— Guardian Books podcastDahl explains what awkwardness feels like, what makes a situation awkward, and how to use awkwardness like a superpower for moving through the world.
—— AutostraddleIn a delightful romp through all manner of researches, Dahl explores the ‘odd little emotion’ to which each of us is prey.
—— SagaIn writing about her experiences, Wang puts a face to the silent suffering of millions of people. Her searing honesty coupled with the strength of her writing make The Collected Schizophrenias a remarkable look into a little-understood part of the human condition
—— Chicago Review of BooksAn illuminating, breathtaking look into the underexplored world of schizophrenia, with the rare perspective of someone who's actually been there
—— mindbodygreenWang . . . eloquently balances personal narrative and empirical research to offer a powerful series of insights into a woefully misunderstood world.
—— SF WeeklyThis beautifully written work will expand your thinking about severe mental illness and mental illness in general
—— Rewire.NewsThe Collected Schizophrenias is illumination and important--not only because it educates and challenges--but because it forces us to consider how much we still have to work to undo historical and systematic damage, to challenge our own broken, misguided partiality towards what it means to be healthy and sane
—— The Arkansas International[The Collected Schizophrenias] organizes the confusion, terror and complexity of [Wang's] experience into an imperfectly cohesive, profoundly illuminating whole.
—— Shelf AwarenessPenetrating and revelatory.
—— Publisher's WeeklyThis mesmerizing collection of essays has achieved the rarest of rarities--a meaningful and expansive language for a subject that has been long bound by both deep revulsion and intense fascination
—— Jenny ZhangA brilliant guide to the complexities of thinking about illness, and mental illness, in particular. It will bring hope to others searching to understand their own diagnoses
—— Meghan O'RourkeA masterful braiding of the achingly personal and the incisively researched. . . . This book is a vital, illuminating window onto the world we all already live in, but find all too easy to ignore
—— Alexandra KleemanYou won't find any pity-baiting, sensationalism, or false positivity here; Wang is so candidly aware that I'd trust her over my own diary
—— Tony TulathimutteEsmé Weijun Wang offers us an all-access pass to her beautiful, unquiet mind. . . Rarely has a book about living with mental illness felt so immediate, raw, and powerful
—— Dani ShapiroThe Collected Schizophrenias is at once generous and brilliantly nuanced, rigorous and bold. It had me rethinking what it is to be well or ill.
—— R.O. KwonEsmé Weijun Wang sends out revelatory dispatches from an under-mapped land, shot like arrows in all directions from a taut bow of a mind. . . . Her work changes the way we think about illness - which is to say that it changes us
—— Whiting Award Selection CommitteeA remarkable book - intelligent, impassioned, consistently moving - that can’t help but make readers revisit the sharpest spikes of life, where nurses often are. Christie Watson looks directly at the fragility of human existence, and the importance of what we choose to value. I can't think of many better uses of writing, nor of writing more likely to make me a better person
—— Richard BeardI defy anyone to finish this without weeping and giving thanks to the NHS ... An important book that should be on every reading list
—— Fanny Blake , Woman & HomeChristie Watson’s book brings home the incredible strength and determination that nurses working in our critically underfunded NHS must possess – and how wildly underappreciated they are
—— Rachael Jolley, Editor, Index on CensorshipGripping and tender
—— Radio TimesA remarkable reflection on care, empathy and compassion ... packs massive emotional impact ... I urge you to read it
—— Caroline Sanderson , The BooksellerThis tender, truth-telling memoir will break your heart into little pieces ... This book is a salient reminder that at some point we are all going to need care and we can only hope we'll get someone like Christie who understands the need for "sympathy, compassion, empathy" in our most vulnerable moments
—— Eithne Farry , The Simple ThingsThe award-winning novelist writes about her 20 years as a nurse, taking us from life to death of the wards in a moving account
—— Hannah Beckerman , Sunday ExpressAs Watson observes, the ability to step into another’s shoes is essential for both nurse and novelist. So too is an eagle eye, and it is the details that prove so unforgettable ... I found myself compelled to go back, and freshly moved and humbled
—— Stephanie Cross , The LadyA highly emotional and eloquent retelling of different patients, staffers, experiences and departments ... A much-needed human voice
—— Tanya Sweeney , The Irish Times[Watson] writes with such considered awareness of medical procedure and resources, human frailty and resilience, that you know she dug deep for this book ... You are also privy to an extraordinary world and appreciate Watson's lasting belief: that most of us are inherently kind - and the better for showing it
—— Kerry Fowler , Sainsbury's MagazineThe Language of Kindness is teeming with humanity ... [It] puts other memoirs to shame, by narrating an ordinary working life which nevertheless confronts the dark, the sublime, the transcendental
—— Roisin Kiberd , Sunday Business PostHer book makes harrowing, heart-rendering reading.
—— Helen Brown , Daily MailAn engaging and authentic portrait of modern care ... Through Watson’s inclusion of relevant statistics and historical facts, as well as her meticulous observation skills, readers will better understand the value of nurses
—— Library JournalHypnotic prose ... quiet brilliance ... This is a wake-up book in the best possible way, a study in-the-round: amusing, hilarious even, enthralling and sad, and definitely an indictment of our time
—— The Arts DeskWe hear far less often from nurses and therapists… It’s time we heard their side of the story. And who better to tell it than this nurse-turned-award-winning literary novelist.
—— Charlotte Heathcote , Sunday ExpressAnecdotal story-telling wrapped up in hypnotic prose… This is a wake-up book in the best possible way, a study in-the-round: amusing, hilarious even, enthralling and sad, and definitely an indictment of our time.
—— Marina Vaizey , The Arts DeskA remarkable book. I learned more in chapter 3 than I have in all the other books I’ve read this year. Watson illustrates why a nurse has a harder job than 99 per cent of lawyers (I am one) and deserves to be paid more. Absolutely brilliant!
—— Clive Stafford Smith OBE, human rights lawyerThe Language of Kindness flows so beautifully, and naturally. Christie adds real warmth to very factual, and medical information … I urge all of you to read this book
—— Five Little Doves[Watson] beautifully describes the life-affirming impact of nurses doing and saying the right thing
—— Strong Words[Watson] tells us things we need to know
—— Chisholm , The Tablet[The Language of Kindness is] a tender and beautifully written account of how this process – learning how to be kind – challenges, teaches, sometimes harms, and then completes a person
—— Peter Dorward , TelegraphAt the heart of Christie Watson’s philanthropic memoir…lies a remarkable thesis on life, death and the kaleidoscopic narratives…that weave us together
—— Kat Lister , The PoolThis stunning read reminds us that nurses are human after all
—— Jude Rogers , Mail on SundayChristie Watson's memoir of 20 years as an NHS nurse is completely absorbing. The best books tell us about life as well as lives and I've read nothing recently that I found so moving and, even in its descriptions of suffering and death, so uplifting. Watson has an eye for detail that is practical, compassionate and very often funny
—— Lucy Lethbridge , The TabletChristie captures life as a nurse in the humblest manner, and anyone in or considering nursing is encouraged to read it
—— Julia Williams , Gastrointestinal NursingWatson’s prose…fizzes with real life, each story and encounter containing its own epic narrative sweep
—— Lucy Lethbridge , The OldieThis brilliant and profound book left an indelible mark on me this year
—— Ian Birrell , iMoving and compassionate…The Language of Kindness… is a sensitive, perceptive and blunt account of a nurse’s journey
—— Richard Barr , Solicitors JournalAn astounding account of life as a nurse
—— Liz Nice , Eastern Daily PressThe Language of Kindness exerts the power of a gripping novel threaded with science, philosophy, history and ethics. Like poetry, it resists paraphrase. A quick summary is out of the question, this brilliant life-changing book has to be experienced.
—— Martina Evans , Irish TimesWatson evokes the topography of each arm of nursing in vivid detail.
—— Irish TimesI defy anyone to finish this without weeping and giving thanks for the NHS… An important book that should be on every reading list.
—— Fanny Blake , Woman & HomeThe Language of Kindness could not be more compelling or more welcome. It's about how we survive, and about the people who help us do so
—— Roxana Robinson , New York Times Book Review[A] powerful account of her life as a nurse… reading her memoir is a truly uplifting experience.
—— Jacqueline Wilson , The WeekA nurse’s voice has never really been heard before on this scale. Now’s the time for it to ring loud.
—— Stylist[Watson] is an elegant, eloquent writer who brings an immediacy to her work. You are right there beside her all the way as she provides a fascinating insight into the trails and triumphs of life in an NHS hospital… a rallying call for kindness and compassion that every one of us should embrace.
—— Mernie Gilmore , Sunday ExpressThrough Watson, we are taken on an absorbing, all-seeing tour through the doors of the hospital
—— Molly Case , Guardian